After a mixed bag first season, the Lakers are declining Nick Smith Jr.’s team option for next season.
The Lakers landed Smith Jr. on a two-way deal at the very start of the preseason after he was waived by the Hornets.
While Smith Jr.’s impact wasn’t felt throughout the whole season, he still had some particularly bright moments. Never was that
more the case than early in the season when he helped lead the Lakers to an improbable road win in Portland.
Smith Jr. largely played bit-part roles as the season went on, though he was someone Redick turned to at different points when the team was undermanned. Ultimately, that belief led to the Lakers signing him at the end of the season on a two-year contract.
On the season, Smith Jr. averaged 6.2 points per game on 39.5% shooting from 3-point range across 30 games. He also made 18 appearances in the G League, averaging 19.7 points aon 37% shooting from three and 49.8% shooting from the field.
Despite Smith being just 22 years old, there wasn’t enough consistency shown for the Lakers to bring him back. The open roster spot and cap space is more valuable to the Lakers, for now.
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